Pictured: Louelle Philander, WESSA Project Coordinator with Kareeville Primary School, Eco Club learners and educator Mr Julius

As part of WESSA’s environmental education activities in De Aar, our Schools & Youth team facilitated upcycling sessions at Alpha Primary School and Kareeville Primary School on 26 August 2026.

The sessions formed part of preparations for the schools’ upcoming Entrepreneurship Days, where learners will showcase their green business ideas and sell products made from recyclable and repurposed materials.

From understanding to making

The sessions began with a short presentation exploring the difference between recycling and upcycling. Learners then put their understanding into practice through a hands-on activity using recyclable and discarded materials.

At Alpha Primary School, learners worked in groups to create art pieces using plastic and paper, experimenting with different materials and exploring how items that might otherwise be discarded could be given a new purpose.

Pictured above: Learners from Alpha Primary School showing their artwork.

At Kareeville Primary School, learners, led by their teacher Mr Julius, quickly got to work creating plastic flowers, papier-mâché jewellery and flowerpots from plastic bottles. They decorated their creations using nail polish, acrylic paint and dry paint, adding their own ideas and designs to the finished pieces.

Pictured: Learners from Kareeville Primary School diligently creating their arts and crafts from recyclable materials.

Connecting upcycling with entrepreneurship

The activity was met with enthusiasm at both schools, with learners embracing the opportunity to experiment, make and share their ideas.

More than a creative exercise, the practical sessions gave learners an opportunity to consider how upcycled products could contribute to their green business ideas and potentially become items they can showcase and sell during their upcoming Entrepreneurship Days.

By connecting environmental learning with creativity and entrepreneurship, the sessions showed learners that waste materials can have value beyond their original use. The activities provided a practical way to explore both responsible waste management and the possibilities that can come from rethinking what we throw away.

Pictured: Louelle Philander, WESSA Project Coordinator with the Eco Club of Okiep High School

From 10 to 14 August, WESSA facilitated an upcycling programme at participating schools in the Namaqua Municipality as part of the eWASA & WESSA SA Schools Waste Management and Education Project. The sessions introduced Eco Club learners to the concept of upcycling and encouraged them to look at waste differently, not simply as something that needs to be thrown away or collected for recycling, but as a resource that can be given a new purpose.

Learners were given the opportunity to put the concept into practice. In preparation for the upcoming Trashion Show, EcoClub learners were challenged to create either a fashion piece or an arts and crafts item using recyclable or discarded materials. Learners collected materials from their own school recycling bins and used these materials as the starting point for their creations, then adding some arts and crafts resources to complete their works.

Pictured above: Eco club learners from Sacred Hearts Primary School and Dr Izak Primary School creating and showcasing their upcycled works of art.

The Eco Club at Primêr Skool Springbok arrived particularly well prepared. Several learners had already created their Trashion Show outfits and brought them along to the session. What started as a planned upcycling activity quickly turned into a mini trashion show, with learners proudly modelling their creations. The idea was well received and added an unexpected but enjoyable element to the session.

Pictured: Eco club learners from Primêr Skool Springbok proudly showing off their creative trashion show pieces.

Following the Primêr Skool Springbok session, the mini Trashion Show was incorporated into the upcycling sessions at the other participating schools. Learners were given a short amount of time to create their pieces and then showcase them to their classmates. The new approach was met with enthusiasm, and learners embraced the opportunity to work with materials that would otherwise have been discarded and explore new possibilities for their use.

Pictured: Learners from Namaqua Schools preparing their upcycled fashion pieces.

The activity provided a practical way of demonstrating the difference between learning about waste management and applying it. The resulting fashion pieces and artworks reflected the learners’ ideas and showed that materials commonly viewed as waste can have value beyond their original use.

Pictured: Eco Club learners showcasing their fashion pieces

Overall, the upcycling sessions were educational, creatively engaging, and a whole lot of fun. The Trashion Show element also encouraged learners to share their ideas with one another and gave them an opportunity to take ownership of the activity. Through the programme, the concept of upcycling moved beyond theory and became something learners could see, touch and create for themselves.

Pictured: Learners at Junior Colleges Sunninghill engaging with The World Lion Day discover table

Wildlife conservation can begin with a simple question: What do animals need to thrive, and what is our role in protecting them?

During August, learners at ADvTECH schools explored this question through activities linked to World Elephant Day (12 August) and World Lion Day (10 August), turning wildlife awareness into opportunities for curiosity, learning and action.

Bringing the world of lions into the classroom

At Junior College Sunninghill, World Lion Day provided another opportunity to connect wildlife learning with everyday classroom experiences.

As part of their Unit of Inquiry, learners explored lions, their habitats, and what animals need to survive – including food, water, shelter, and safety.

The learning extended beyond the classroom discussion. Learners engaged with wildlife through creative activities and explored what a suitable habitat might look like, helping them connect the needs of animals with the environments in which they live.

From learning to responsibility

The activities also gave learners an opportunity to think about their own relationship with the natural world.

Through creative displays, habitat-building and age-appropriate exploration, wildlife conservation became something learners could see, discuss and engage with, rather than simply a topic in a textbook.

At Junior College Sunninghill, learners also created a Lion Promise, reflecting on the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife.

Pictured above: (left) The World Lion Day model created by learners and teachers at Junior Colleges Sunninghill; and (top right) learners making their Lion Promise; (bottom right) Elephant Day at Crawford International Ruimsig

Learning about elephants through curiosity and care

At Crawford International Ruimsig, WESSA Prep Cubs marked World Elephant Day by exploring facts about one of Africa’s Big Five, such as their intelligence, strong family bonds, and unique ways of communicating. Through the activity, they were encouraged to think beyond simply recognising elephants as iconic wildlife and to consider why protecting these animal’s matter.

These experiences demonstrate the value of environmental learning to make conservation relevant from an early age. It starts with curiosity that develops into understanding and responsibility. By connecting wildlife themes with creative, practical activities, learners are building knowledge while developing respect for the species and ecosystems around them.

Across ADvTECH schools, these activities give learners opportunities to ask questions, explore the natural world, and begin thinking about how their choices and actions can contribute to a healthier planet.

Pictured above: Appointed teacher coordinators shared ongoing eco club activities

Strengthening Teacher Capacity through the De Aar Solar Park Project

On 10 June, De Aar Solar Power and WESSA facilitated a teacher workshop at Alpha Primary School as part of the De Aar Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project.

The workshop brought together 10 teachers from Alpha Primary School, 2 teachers from Kareeville Primary School, and a representative from the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform.

The session focused on Education for Sustainable Development, preparations for the upcoming Entrepreneurship Day, and how learners can develop practical green business initiatives linked to waste management, recycling, creativity, and sustainability.

Sharing Eco-Club activities and creative ideas

During the workshop, appointed teacher coordinators shared updates on their ongoing Eco-Club activities and reflected on the progress made at their schools.

Alpha Primary School showcased its creative arts and crafts activities, including gift bags made by learners and a lively “trashion show”, where learners designed fashion items using recyclable materials.

Pictured above: Alpha Primary School shared their arts and crafts activities, gift bags, and a lively ‘trashion show’ with fashion made from recyclables

Kareeville Primary School highlighted its waste-sorting activities and creative projects using recycled materials. These mini-presentations created a valuable platform for teachers to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and strengthen collaboration between participating schools.

Learners embrace Eco-Schools projects through Droogfontein Solar Park

In another exciting development, learners from Beacon Primary School in Collville and Waterworks Primary School in Riverton participated in school assemblies linked to the Droogfontein Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project, implemented in partnership with WESSA.

The assemblies introduced learners to practical environmental projects that will be implemented at their schools, helping them understand how they can contribute to cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable school communities.

Recycling awareness at Beacon Primary School

At Beacon Primary School, learners were introduced to the upcoming recycling project. The session focused on helping learners identify different types of recyclable waste and understand the benefits of recycling for their school and broader community.

Learners were encouraged to think about how waste can be reduced, reused, and recycled, and how their participation can support responsible waste management practices at school.

At Waterworks Primary School, the assembly focused on food gardens and their many benefits. Learners explored how school food gardens can provide fresh produce, promote healthy eating, and create opportunities to learn practical skills in sustainability.

The session helped learners understand that food gardens are not only about growing vegetables, but also about building responsibility, teamwork, and environmental awareness.

Building environmental stewardship

Both the teacher workshop and learner assemblies demonstrated the value of the Eco-Schools approach in bringing sustainability to life through practical action.

Through the De Aar Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project and the Droogfontein Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project, teachers and learners are being empowered to explore circular economy principles, develop green business ideas, improve waste management, and strengthen environmental stewardship within their schools.

These activities show how partnerships between WESSA, solar power partners, schools, and government stakeholders are helping to build a new generation of environmentally conscious learners and educators in the Northern Cape.

Our Eco-Schools theme for June was World Oceans Day, and the spotlight has been placed on three participating schools: Crawford International La Lucia, Crawford International Lonehill, and Elkanah House School in Cape Town.

Making waves for change: Crawford International College swimmers conquer World Ocean Day Challenge

On June 8th, the spirit of determination and environmental passion was alive and well as an inspiring group of swimmers from Crawford International College in La Lucia took to the sea for the World Ocean Day swim. Facing the open water with the confidence of true athletes, our well-trained and brave students proved that they are not just capable swimmers, but dedicated stewards of our planet.

Distance Highlights: The squad of swimmers pushed their limits across three distinct courses, showing immense grit from the shortest to the longest routes:
The 800m and 1-Mile courses: These incredible students showed phenomenal stamina and pacing, cutting through the water and showcasing the rewards of their hard training.
The 2-Mile Route: (3.2km): Leading by example, one of the teachers, Miss Norval, tackled the ultimate endurance test of the day, successfully conquering the gruelling 2-mile swim.

A True Community Effort

This wasn’t just a student achievement, it was a full community triumph. Joining the students in the water was a passionate staff member, Mrs. Gous, and her equally strong husband, who both braved the elements to swim alongside the team and offer incredible encouragement.

Beyond the physical achievement, every single stroke served a greater purpose. The team swam to raise vital funds for Breathe Conservation, an organisation dedicated to eliminating plastic pollution and protecting our marine ecosystems.

All funds raised contribute toward a Plastic-Free Future. Every wave conquered by this Crawford International College team helps support Breathe Conservation’s mission to educate global communities and eliminate plastic from our oceans.

Young learners from Crawford International College Lonehill showcase their recycled artwork

Grade one learners at Crawford International College in Lonehill, Gauteng, created watercolour paintings of sea creatures and made a collage using recycling and added to their artwork, which tied into the central theme of ‘Sharing the planet: Protecting our natural resources’.

Elkanah House Prep Schools launched a bottle top collection and recycling initiative

Children were encouraged to bring plastic bottle tops to school and place them in the collection bins provided.  Classes focused on recycling, re using and correct waste disposal for the month.

Emphasis was placed on keeping our natural environment plastic free.  The children were thrilled to see their contributions make a difference to the overall amount collected.

Teachers also came to collect coloured bottle tops to use in their lessons for example some used them as counters in their maths small groups, art projects and posters. The Blouberg Campus collected 66 Kg of plastic bottle tops which were packed and sent to our plastic recycling company. Each campus will continue to collect the bottle tops as an ongoing WESSA initiative.

Pictured above: Top left – Launching the recycling programme at GJ Louw Primary School; (top right) Kuyga Primary School learners presenting Trashion creations; (bottom right) Hillside Technical School receiving their recycling bins and bulk bags; (bottom left) Abraham Levy Primary School Eco-committee with their recycling bins & bulk bags

What happens when learners are encouraged to see waste differently?

Across 10 schools in Nelson Mandela Bay, learners and teachers are beginning to explore the answer: waste can be separated, recycled and even transformed into something new.

From 18–21 May 2026, WESSA and eWASA launched school recycling programmes at these Eastern Cape schools:

1. Kuyga Primary School
2. David Livingstone High School
3. Westview Special School
4. Hillside Technical School
5. GJ Louw Primary School
6. Abraham Levy Primary School
7. Chapman High School
8. Happydale Special School
9. St Thomas Senior Secondary School
10. Paterson High School

Learning how recycling begins

Pictured above: (top left & right) St Thomas Senior Secondary School with their recycling bins & engaging in a recycling presentation during assembly; (bottom left & right) David Livingstone learners with The Waste Trade Company team & launching their schools recycling programme

The sessions introduced learners and teachers to the recycling process through practical separation-at-source activities. Participants learnt how to correctly separate and sort waste, building the knowledge needed to support more responsible waste management practices at their schools.

Each school received four recycling bins and three bulk bags to help establish its recycling programme.

The Waste Trade Company joined the sessions to explain which materials can and cannot be recycled and how the collection process will work at each school.

Reimagining the value of waste

The Eastern Cape launch also encouraged learners to think creatively about materials that might otherwise be discarded.

During the sessions, The Waste Trade Company showcased upcycled items, including clothing, fashion accessories and toys made from waste materials. These examples helped learners see that waste is not only an environmental challenge; it can also be an opportunity for creativity and innovation.

This message was reinforced through the launch of the Trashion Design Challenge, which invites learners to create fashion pieces using recycled waste.

Growing practical environmental action

The school recycling programmes are designed to improve awareness of responsible waste management while giving schools the infrastructure needed to put this knowledge into practice.

By combining education, recycling systems and creative upcycling, the project is helping learners understand that their everyday choices matter. A plastic item, container or piece of discarded material does not always need to become waste. With the right knowledge and systems in place, it can become part of a more sustainable future.